Echoed Lullabies (Lunar Chronicles x Reader)

Chapter 13

"So...," Thorne murmured. "How many more darts do you have?"

The thaumaturge's dark irises sparkled with moonlight.

"One," Cinder whispered.

"Right," said Thorne. "In that case."

He snatched the officer's stolen gun from his belt and spun, aiming for the thaumaturge. Then froze.

"Oh no," I breathed.

Thorne's arm curled back and changed direction until the barrel was aimed at Cinder's temple instead.

"Cinder..." His voice nearly broke from panic.

The thaumaturge's expression remained complacent.

Cinder targeted her last tranquilizer at Thorne's leg. within seconds the gun had clattered from Thorne's fingers and his body collapsed motionless on top of Scarlet's friend.

A warm laugh spilled out of the thaumaturge. "Hello, Miss Linh. How pleasant to make your acquaintance."

I stayed rooted to my spot, watching the interaction.

The thaumaturge flicked his fingers and Cinder took three steps forward. She tensed, resisting, and wobbled for a moment before finding balance on the pavement. She moved forward no more.

"So it's true." The thaumaturge laughed. "You will forgive me. I did have to try." His white teeth glinted. He didn't seem at all put off by the fact that she couldn't be controlled as easily as Thorne had been.

As easily as the seven men surrounding us.

The thaumaturge's gaze slid over to me. Surprise stole away his taunting grin, but it morphed to smugness after a moment.

"Ah, Miss l/n. Or, I suppose it's Commander now, isn't it?"

My lips parted in shock.

The thaumaturge cocked his head. "Come here."

My legs moved of their own accord, carrying me to him. I walked stiffly, rigidly, until I stood before the man in the red coat.

His fingers dug into my chin, turning my head left and right as he examined me. My insides squirmed.

"Hm. You've grown into quite the young woman. You don't look anything like your brother."

The floor seemed to drop out from underneath me. Ice filled my stomach. My blood ran cold.

"Wh-what are you talking about?"

"You don't know?" The thaumaturge chuckled darkly. "My, we sure did a number on you."

"How do you know my brother?" I said through gritted teeth.

"Truly, it's a miracle that you survived Omega Kesley. I almost didn't recognize you all fixed up."

"How do you know Isaac?" I shouted. "Tell me!"

The thaumaturge's eyes flashed. "Now, now. Good girls don't speak to their superiors in that tone."

I spat in his face.

He thrust me away from him, and I stumbled backwards into Cinder, who steadied me with her metal hand.

The thaumaturge sneered and wiped the back of his hand across his cheek. "Filth."

One of the seven soldiers snapped his jaws. Cinder flinched.

The thaumaturge regained his cool composure, chuckling again. "What do you think of my pets? How easily they fit in with the humans, but how quickly they turn into beasts."